What is FARSA

When we talk about the farce we are referring to a minor dramatic subgenre which is part of comedy, so it is characterized by having fun, funny moments and, always, with a satirical background. This type of dramatic text is based on reality, but goes a step further because it exaggerates the facts to cause laughter and criticism of what is represented. In this lesson from a teacher we will discover what is the sham with examples, analyzing the features of this subgenre that was so successful in antiquity and that, today, also continues to triumph.

Let's start with the definition of the concept of farce to better understand what kind of dramatic text we are dealing with. The farce is a short and satirical text that presents easily recognizable characters in society, but with exaggerated behaviors that serve as criticism of their representation in society. A burlesque and comic text With which, it is not only intended to have fun, but also to launch a social message from comedy and humor.

Etymologically speaking, the word "farce" comes from the Latin term "farcire" which means "to fill". And it is that, in antiquity, these short dramatic texts were used as filling in the intermissions of the great works; a format that Miguel de Cervantes would imitate in Spain to create his famous "Entremeses".

Although we already find farces in the greek theater, the truth is that the genre had its maximum splendor during the Renaissance and indeed it was common for these short plays to be interludes to the larger plays and served to supplement the function or to "fill in."

Many scholars of literature see in the farce the origin of the theater of the absurd, a dramatic subgenre typical of the Contemporary Age and that has elements very similar to farce: exaggerated characters, situations taken to the extreme, social criticism, etc.

Origin of the farce

Now that we know what the charade is, let's delve into the origins of this dramatic subgenre to learn more about its roots.

As we have already indicated, the first farces took place in the classical theater of Greece, the first civilization in which the theater was cultivated. The charades were used to entertain the public in the intermissions of the great works, when the change of scenery, of characters, etc. In these moments, the farces were in charge of entertaining with laughter and crazy situations that lightened the tragedies that were used to be represented in classical Greece.

Although at that time it was still a minor genre, the truth is that in the renaissance This is when farce began to be cultivated and defined as we know it today. During the Golden Age, the farces nurtured the intermissions of the theatrical works and influenced the creation of a Spanish genre such as the hors d'oeuvres and where Cervantes stood out with his short pieces.

In the XVIII century, the farce also greatly influenced Italy and, today, there is a genre of opera known as farce, which refers to a comic opera that deals with social issues from a satirical and ironic point of view.

In order to better understand what farce is, it is important that we discover the characteristic elements of this dramatic subgenre. Therefore, below, we are going to list the main characteristics of the farce that will help you detect more quickly the texts that are part of this subgenre:

• Inspiration in reality. The farces have their source of inspiration in reality, in society and in characters of the current world.
• Burlesque and satirical tone. One of the most well-known characteristics of the farce is that these texts are always written with a comic tone, where mockery and satire abound.
• Social criticism. The farces are written, not only to entertain, but to communicate a social message and launch a criticism of society or the system.
• Recognizable characters. The characters in the farce are always characters that are part of society and that are easily recognizable by society; Only then can the critical tone be met and viewers can better grasp the message of the work.
• Exaggerated interpretations. The farce is not a natural or realistic work; it is a type of very uphill work, with a bizarre plot and with cartoonish and grotesque characters who are in charge of starring in the plot.
• Happy ending. Being a comedy subgenre, the farce usually has a happy ending in which the characters end well and where the story ends in a positive way.
• Colloquial language. The register of the language used in the farce is colloquial so that all viewers can capture the essence of the play and the characters.

We end this lesson by talking about some examples of sham over time. As we have already commented, this subgenre is very old and, in fact, in the very origins of the theater we already find farcical texts. Therefore, there are a large number of examples of farce in our literary history and, depending on the time in which we find ourselves, the texts present some characteristics or others.

Example of farce in classical Greece

The farces of Ancient Greece only sought entertain the public with extravagant interpretations and with a somewhat exaggerated, almost absurd type of comedy. But the playwrights took advantage of that literary nature to unleash their criticism of the rulers or prominent personalities of the society of the time.

The main exponent of the classical farce is, of course, Aristophanes, a classic writer who cultivated a more poetic language, but equally satirical.

Examples of farce in Ancient Rome

The Greek farce was also found in Roman authors; in fact, Plautus is one of the poets most closely linked to this dramatic subgenre. An example of farce from Plauto is "Los Menecmos", where two twins separated at birth live a lot of confusion in their adult life because everyone confuses them.

The main difference between Greek and Roman farces was that, in Rome, there was a greater tendency to grotesque and, therefore, the farces were much more amusing, although with a less polished and less "poetic" language.

Example of farce in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages is when there was a heyday of the farce, in part, because Christianity opted for the creation of shows of a theatrical nature to spread the word of God among the popular population. In addition to purely religious shows, the church is responsible for creating more festive shows such as, for example, the carnivals, which have a 100% sham tone.

La Farce by Maître Pathelin It is a clear example of farce in the Middle Ages, a text considered a masterpiece and which launches a strong criticism of the justice of the time.

Examples of farce in the Renaissance

At this time it is when the farce resurfaced, since the literati turned their eyes to the classics and discovered this genre that had gone unnoticed at the time and that, now, was recovered to give it a new air. That is why the Renaissance was when the farce began to form as we know it today.

In Spain, the influence of the farce led to the creation of the steps and hors d'oeuvres and a clear example of these works are Steps of Lope de Rueda and the Cervantes hors d'oeuvres. In Italy, the influence of the farce led to the creation of a type of dramatic subgenre known as the Commedia dell'Arte. In both cases, these creations had a burlesque tone, with crazy situations and a clear message of social criticism in the background.

Another example of farce during this period is the clear example of Molière, an author who wrote marvelous satirical works such as "The Ridiculous Precious".

Examples of farces in the XX

We finish this review of the examples of the farces to speak, now, of the creations closest to our time. In the 20th century we find a great influence of this dramatic subgenre and, for example, in Spain we have Enrique Jardiel Poncela and his "Eloísa is under an almond tree", a classic of contemporary farce and a clear precedent for the Spanish theater of the absurd.

In fact, as we have already pointed out, many scholars consider the sham to be the basis on which the current genre baptized as theater of the absurd and that, today, has famous authors such as, of course, Samuel Beckett and his "Waiting for Godot", a classic of contemporary theater.